Browse Best Of by:

Year

Best of Utah 2017

Our annual celebration of the Best our state has to offer is here!

Best Garden SupplyMillcreek Gardens
In 1955, Vernon and Murriel Smith opened their quaint, humble nursery with just a few plants and flowers. Now, the seed they planted back then has grown wild into a 3.5-acre plot considered one of the state's premier nurseries. Whether your personal garden is suited for perennials, conifers, trees or shrubs, Millcreek Gardens has plants that run the gamut to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood. (Mikey Saltas)3500 S. 900 East, 801-487-4131, millcreekgardens.com2nd place: Cactus & Tropicals
3rd place: Western Gardens

Best BarberNico "Swish" Johnson at Savant Studio
If you're in need of a fresh cut—or if you're like this author, a taper from a one to a three, trim on the top and pulled back into a combover—Nico "Swish" Johnson is your guy. A master of his craft (or a savant, rather), Swish is capable of getting you to look your best for an unbeatable price of $25 for frequent clients. (MS)facebook.com/nic.swisherjohnson2. Dustin George at Liberty Wells Barber Co.
3. Kylee Howell at Friar Tuck's Barbershop

Best Book StoreThe King's English Bookshop
Entering its fourth decade of operation, The King's English Bookshop has been matching book-to-reader for generations. They regularly invite local authors and nationally recognized guest speakers to the shop, offering a unique and unparalleled reading experience. Whether you're into fantasy, fiction, horror, sci-fi or any other genre, really, The King's English has an endless array of tomes to satisfy your reading needs. ¡Viva la print! (MS)1511 S. 1500 East, 801-484-9100, kingsenglish.com2. Weller Book Works
3. Ken Sanders Rare Books

Best BoutiqueA'La Mode SLC
Tired of trying to keep up with current fashion trends? A'La Mode is here to help. The boutique offers an online service where you submit your measurements, style and budget and they'll send you your very own customized box full of threads. If you don't like it, send it right back. Who said you had to break the bank to live out your fashionista dreams? (MS)265 E. 900 South, alamodeslc.com2. Blue Boutique
3. IconoClad

Best Comic Book StoreBlack Cat Comics
Opening its doors in 2004, Black Cat Comics has woven its way into the fabric of the local comic book scene. Founder Greg Gage first discovered his love for comics when he was introduced to X-Men No. 94 in 1974. All these years later, Gage still has a passion for the medium and gives locals—once in his shoes—the chance to consign their work on his shelves. (MS)2261 S. Highland Drive, 801-461-4228, blackcat-comics.com2. Dr. Volt's Comic Connection
3. The Nerd Store

Best Gear StoreREI
Like minding after a mogwai, there are certain Best of Utah voting rules set in place by the powers that be. One of them is no national chains are allowed. Still, some of these establishments are so ingrained in the local community they manage to sneak in. Utah is home to some of the biggest and baddest outdoor recreation spots in the world, and REI is the outdoor equipment retailer par excellence. Maybe if Christopher McCandless had shopped at REI, there'd be an Into the Wild sequel. (MS)3285 E. 3300 South, 801-486-2100; 230 W. 10600 South, Sandy, 801-501-0850; rei.com2. Kirkham's Outdoor Products
3. Recreation Outlet

DEREK CARLISLE

Best SalonLandis Lifestyle Salon
Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you; it's a statement of who you are and an opportunity to make a lasting impression. At Landis Lifestyle Salon, they have an exceptionally supportive and professional staff more than capable of styling your locks exactly how you envisioned. The salon also offers spa treatments such as skin care and body hair removal—gentlemen, it's time to get that back hair under control. (MS)Multiple locations, landissalon.com2. Lunatic Fringe
3. Solstice Day Spa

Best Pet Supply StoreThe Dog's Meow
Those that aren't privileged enough to live with a furry companion don't truly realize the impact canines and felines can have on our lives. Your furry friend is with you for a part of your life—but you are quite literally their entire life. Make sure to take care of them with proper diets and plentiful exercise. The verdict is in, and The Dog's Meow is the best place in town to make sure your pets are well provided for. (MS)2047 E. 3300 South, 801-468-0700, dogsmeow.com2. Paw Paw's Dog Wash
3. Mark's Ark

Best Piercer/Body ModifierDustin Robbins at Enso Piercing + Adornment
Dustin Robbins has been mastering piercing for over 20 years, as well as body scarification for the past 15. As the owner of Enso Piercing + Adornment, Robbins ensures cleanliness and as much comfort as possible when it comes to modifying your body. Along with high-quality piercing, Enso offers custom piercing jewelry, allowing you to express yourself with your own personal touch. (MS)265 E. 900 South, 801-953-0201, ensopiercing.com2. Patrick B at Koi Piercing Studio
3. Chelsie Ross at Iris Piercing Studio

Best Smoke/Vape ShopiVape
The nicotine industry has seen a paradigm shift as people have been putting down archaic, regular cigs and picking up vapes or electronic cigarettes. Perhaps surprisingly, there are hundreds of types of e-cigs and no shortage of flavors to choose from, though iVape's staff is helpful for each step in the process. Just don't record yourself on Snapchat doing amateur smoke tricks with your e-cig. Just don't. (MS)4523 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, 801-268-8273, ivapeslc.com2. Blackhouse Vapor
3. Salt Lake Vapors

Best Tattoo ArtistAustin Jones at Painted Temple
Salt Lake City is becoming one tatted, badass looking community and it's freakin' awesome. Tattoos are with you for life (shocker!), so if you're looking to get inked up, there's no one better in the Beehive than Austin Jones of Painted Temple Tattoo. With myriad years of tattooing experience, Jones' art pops off the skin and is carefully and uniquely designed for each individual. (MS)2435 S. Highland Drive, 801-428-0687, facebook.com/paintedtempletattoo2. Sarah de Azevedo at Locust Tattoo
3. Bret Johnson at Sacred Souls

DEREK CARLISLE

Best Thrift/Consignment StoreIconoClad
IconoClad made thrifting cool well before Macklemore ever did. The downtown Salt Lake City consignment store is chock full of stellar "pre-rocked" clothing and accessories. Always wanting to expand their appeal, IconoClad stocks the shelves with various creative clothes they believe are the next brewing trend. To shoppers, this means the shop has a fantastic array of styles, patterns and sizes for all. Tell Bugsy and Lola the shop cats we said hi. (MS)414 E. 300 South, 801-833-2272, iconoclad.com2. Uptown Cheapskate
3. Pib's Exchange